Diorites break the ice against Kambalda

Mines Rovers bounced back strongly from a round one defeat with a percentage-boosting win last Saturday against Kambalda, 14.20 (104) to 0.0 (0), in the Goldfields Football League women’s competition.

After being held to a solitary goal a week earlier against Boulder, the Diorites flexed their muscles at Kambalda West Oval when seven players hit the scoreboard that sealed an emphatic first win for 2024.

Niamh Daly led the blue-and-whites’ charge with three goals and four others — Taneisha Hansen, Torrie Revell, Jess Bolton and Sarah Cosh — booted two each.

Ahead of Saturday’s round three clash with defending premiers Kalgoorlie, Mines Rovers coach Quinny Matla hoped the even spread of goalkickers remained a common theme.

“Our side seems to be back in form which was pleasing, heading into a big game this weekend,” he said.

“Most importantly, we got through unscathed, and my hope is that’s where our goals are going to come from this season — multiple players.

“I don’t really have a set forward line, so to speak, and in our first game some of our major players weren’t there.

“That was an opportunity for some of the other girls to step-up without relying on some of the big names.

“Now that everyone is back and in form, I’m pretty keen to see we stack up against Kalgoorlie.”

Kalgoorlie have won the past two GFLW flags but were hit hard by major player losses in the off-season.

“I’m very happy to hopefully keep them (Kalgoorlie) winless — just to shift the balance of power a little bit and keep the competition interesting,” Matla said.

“But I know they’re going through a hard time (minus key players).”

Kambalda, who are in their second season in the GFLW, chase their first win on Saturday against Railways at Kambalda West Oval.

That match is at 11am with the Kalgoorlie-Mines Rovers clash starting at 9am.